Housing Queenslanders a priority for government

• New housing model to predict supply and demand
• Queensland Government has engaged AHURI to develop the model
• $56 million to deliver positive housing outcomes for the Queensland community
• Funding for emergency and food relief services doubled

The Queensland Government has engaged the expertise of the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) to develop a robust model to predict future supply and demand for housing in Queensland.

Work has already started on the modelling, which will incorporate historical and predictive analysis.

The modelling will look at the housing system in Queensland as a whole, including social housing, emergency accommodation and the private housing market. It will be used to assist in promoting a healthy housing system overall.

Not everyone who needs help to obtain or sustain housing will need social housing – in 2021-22, the State Government provided almost 200,000 forms of housing assistance to Queensland households or individuals, including emergency housing, private market assistance, homelessness services and housing.

The model will be kept up to date and will be used to inform housing strategy and policy development, which will help guide Queensland Government’s future housing investment priorities.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Communities and Housing Leeanne Enoch:

“This government understands the importance of hearing from the right experts to inform policy, which is why we have engaged the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute to develop this model for us,” Ms Enoch said.

“There are many differing views on what makes up an overall healthy housing system, and so I am very pleased that we will be working on it with the leading authority on these matters.

“While this important work is being done, we are continuing to roll out the additional supports committed at last year’s Queensland Housing Summit.

“As part of the summit, the Palaszczuk Government boosted its flagship Housing Investment Fund to $2 billion.

“The investment returns of $130 million a year will now be available from the Fund to support an increased target of 5,600 new social and affordable home commencements across Queensland by 30 June 2027.

“This brings the Queensland Government’s investment in social and affordable housing to a record $3.9 billion.

“The Summit also delivered an additional $5 million for the Immediate Housing Response for Families (IHRF) package was announced as part of the Housing Summit outcomes, bringing the total investment in IHRF to $26 million.

“To date, 4081 households have been supported through this package, including through the provision of temporary emergency accommodation.”

Later this month the Palaszczuk Government will hold a Housing Roundtable to address the housing pressures being experienced in Queensland, which are also being felt in all parts of Australia.

ENDS

Media contact – Martin Philip 0407 675 008